Anthony Johnson, A Hometown Hero

After graduating from Estacado in 1994, Anthony Johnson set out to pursue a future in the Navy at just 18-years-old.

But Johnson's love for the military began at a much younger age.

"Around the age of 9 or 10 I had the desire," Johnson says.

And as he got older that desire only became stronger.

"I was actually an Army ROTC in high school from '90-'94, but it was a friend of mine who came back from Army camp and was telling me about all these ships. I was planning on joining the Army and all of the sudden, last minute, I told my dad I wanted to join the Navy. And here I am almost 20 years later," Johnson said.

After 19 years of dedicated service, Johnson has earned some spectacular honors and opportunities.

He currently holds the highest enlisted sailor position in the United States Navy, and last month he was honored as the Senior Sailor of the Year for 2013, an honor he says he's humbled to accept.

"Really, if it wasn't for the 19 and 25-year-olds doing what they're supposed to be doing in supporting the mission," Johnson says, "I'm reaping the benefits of what they're actually doing. It's just a huge accolade and it's hard for me to embrace that I'm actually the Senior Sailor of the Year because I'm just a working man like everyone else."

Johnson was chosen out of 323 other sailors with his rank.

His wife, Patricia, and their four children are currently stationed in Washington while other family members remain in Lubbock.

But whether they reside in Texas or 2,000 miles away, the whole Johnson family shares the pride.